Bulls rumors: Teams zeroing in on Lauri Markkanen, Wendell Carter Jr.

A handful of teams are actively zeroing in on multiple players on the Bulls roster, including Lauri Markkanen and Wendell Carter Jr.

A handful of teams are actively zeroing in on multiple players on the Chicago Bulls roster, including Lauri Markkanen and Wendell Carter Jr., per Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times.

Bulls shooting guard Zach LaVine is also a player other teams have had trade discussions about. However, it doesn't appear Chicago is ready to trade anyone on the roster, at least not yet.

SNY reported last week that both the Knicks and the Nets were doing background work on Zach LaVine and the possibility of the guard being dealt by the new regime, and an NBA scout has told the Sun-Times there were a handful of teams actively zeroing in on multiple players on the Bulls roster, including Lauri Markkanen and Wendell Carter Jr.

Normal due diligence or a lot more smoke than usual?

In this case likely both.

First, it’s important to note that Bulls sources have indicated that the organization hasn’t even crossed the trade bridge. Heck, new executive vice president of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas is yet to even get the entire roster into the Advocate Center for a full workout, let alone already seeing flaws in players he would move.

It's widely known through league circles that Bulls players don't like playing for head coach Jim Boylen. Since there have been rumors going around that Chicago could keep Boylen even though the franchise has a new president of basketball operations and general manager, teams around the NBA are trying to see if they can trade for LaVine, Markkanen and Carter since they are the three best players on the Bulls and each guy reportedly doesn't enjoy being around Boylen.

The Bulls have been a walking disaster since trading Jimmy Butler to the Minnesota Timberwolves on draft night back in 2017. LaVine and Markkanen were the cornerstone players Chicago acquired in the Butler trade. While LaVine has established himself as one of the best young scorers in the NBA, his defense is still subpar and Markkanen has been too inconsistent in the Windy City.

Moving forward, it's going to be interesting to see what new executive vice president of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas decides to do with Boylen.